GoldandBlack.com's Purdue player draft: No. 36 overall
This summer, the Boilermakers are being divided.
Reporters Stacy Clardie and Kyle Charters are going head-to-head in GoldandBlack.com's Purdue player draft, a daily selection in which separate rosters of 25 are being assembled. In late July, we'll decide — based on GoldandBlack.com staff and member feedback — which team would win.
Charters starts our second-to-last week, starting at No. 36.
I've been thinking about making this pick for the last week, wanting to bolster my rushing attack to better take advantage of what I believe is a weak front seven of the opposing defense.
And David Yancey does that. The junior running back is a workhorse during practice, frequently with good production against Purdue's top-line defense. He might not be eye-popping — the 5-foot-10, 220-pounder isn't likely to run away — but he's able to get tough yardage between the tackles. He doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. And this spring, he seems to have a little more gitty-up, an ability he'll need if he wants to be a more significant Saturday contributor this fall.
But most importantly for my team, Yancey gives me some flexibility. I can now go two-back, putting Richie Worship as a lead fullback or H-back, maybe an in-motion tight end. Or I can leave Worship in the backfield and split Yancey into the slot, where he's a solid pass-catcher.
Had I not gone with Yancey here, I probably would have turned toward the secondary. But honestly, I don't know who is next there. And that's a challenge, not only for my team but — more importantly — for Purdue in 2016.
One other note: We do have an end-game for our draft. We'll make single picks this week, then double-up July 18-22 to finish out the 50 selections. During the July 25 week, we might make our all-time wildcard pick, then present our arguments and Brian will give his opinion.
More: Draft ticker 1-35
More: Changes to run game could spark production ($) | Much-needed vocal leaders emerging this summer ($) | Players adjusting to change in offseason program ($) | Senior leaders looking to mold freshmen ($)
More: 2016 football primer
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